While the debate continues over whether the Flyers
should trade Eric Lindros, columnist Timothy Dwyer reports
that both Lindros' contract and the leases for many of the
CoreStates Center's luxury suites expire after next season.
Flyers Chair Ed Snider: "I don't care about marketing when it
comes to our season ticket holders and suite (owners). I
care about winning." The arena's 126 suites go for $75,000-
$150,000, and many of them are on a three-year lease. Dwyer
writes that about "a dozen" have not been leased, which
"means there is no waiting list -- except, perhaps, for a few
suites in prime locations." Dwyer: "But the fact that a
dozen boxes have yet to be leased two years into the life of
the building shows that the market is close to being tapped
out. ... So it is no surprise that Snider wants to sign
Lindros to a long-term deal." Most of Comcast-Spectacor's
income "is derived from three sources -- luxury boxes,
broadcasting and marketing. And Lindros is the force that
drives all three." But Snider said, "I don't operate that
way. We operate one way, and that is to do everything that
is humanly possible to win" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/8).

The Devil Rays "face their biggest test" this weekend
when they host the Orioles for a three-game series -- not on
the field but "in the stands," according to Peter Schmuck of
the Baltimore SUN. The Orioles mark the first series of the
year against an AL East rival for the Devil Rays, who rank
11th in MLB attendance at 31,605 a game. Devil Rays Managing
General Partner Vince Naimoli said attendance has "been a
little bit disappointing. I don't know if it's because the
kids aren't out of school or what, but we hope that now that
we're going to play some of our divisional rivals, it will
start to pick up." Schmuck writes that the team's obstacles
start "with Tropicana Field." Devil Rays VP/PR Rick Vaughn:
"There was a negative connotation to the building. That's
something we have to get past" (Baltimore SUN, 5/8). Naimoli
said he would give the team a "B" in ticket sales, but added,
"We're taking a much more active stance to marketing ourself.
Some of our broadcasters were telling listeners it might be a
nice idea to take Mom out to see the Orioles and have a nice
buffet for Mother's Day" (Kevin Wells, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/8).

In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes that D'Backs ownership is
"freaking out" about an upcoming HBO "Real Sports" report
that "claims taxpayers in Arizona were duped into footing" a
$238M bill to build the club its new stadium (N.Y. POST,
5/8)....In Chicago, "the Bulls have been trailed the last two
weeks by an IMAX film crew working on a movie about the team
for the extra-large screen" (SUN-TIMES, 5/7).

A day after sales talks with the Lightning "appeared to
stall," Pistons Owner William Davidson's group "made some
inroads Thursday by receiving 'favorable response' from a
major creditor perhaps willing to restructure terms of an
existing contract," according to Ira Kaufman of the TAMPA
TRIBUNE. Pistons President Tom Wilson would not identify the
Lightning creditor or discuss details. Besides SunTrust
Bank, "major" Lightning creditors include the NY-based
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, the NHL, Sunshine
Network and New York Life Insurance Co. (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/8).
Accountants for Davidson spent Wednesday studying the
Lightning's finances. Pistons VP/PR Matt Dobek: "That (debt)
number changes almost daily, and that's what's scary" (Doug
Stanley, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/7). Attorney Stephen Wayne, who is
representing Lightning parent company Kokusai Green,
confirmed that Davidson tendered an offer for the team,
rights to the Ice Palace and adjacent land along Garrison
Channel (Ira Kaufman, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/7).

The MA Commission Against Discrimination issued what "it
called the civil equivalent of an indictment" against the Red
Sox stemming from a former employees' claim of racial
harassment by the team, according to Adrian Walker of the
BOSTON GLOBE. MCAD Chair Charles Walker said that the
agency's inquiry into Thomas Sneed's claim "turned up enough
evidence for the case to go forward." He "urged" the team
and Sneed to settle, but a Red Sox attorney said Sneed's
demands "have been unreasonable, and indicated that
settlement may not be near." Sneed has accused the Red Sox
of "allowing a hostile work environment" during his seven-
year stint with the team and claims that management did not
respond to his reports of harassment incidents. Red Sox
attorney Daniel Goldberg released a list yesterday of actions
the team took, but "seemed pessimistic that this case will be
settled soon." Goldberg claims that Sneed had asked for 100
times his salary of "about" $30,000 a year, a number which
Sneed's attorneys deny (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/8).
SETTLE OR ELSE? In Boston, Joan Vennochi writes that
"despite the bluster" of Goldberg, a "trial is the last thing
this ball club wants." As they pursue a new ballpark and try
to "convince the public they have changed from the closed-
minded institution of 30 years ago," the Red Sox "don't need
embarrassing headlines of the kind that could emanate from a
case like Sneed's" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/8).

New York Sports Ventures (NYSV), which recently
completed its purchase of the Islanders, is involved in
"serious discussions" to purchase the Nets for $150-200M and
return the NBA team to Long Island, according to Valenti,
Logan, et al. of NEWSDAY. The deal would provide NYSV with
another tenant for Nassau Coliseum and "bolster its bid to
persuade" Nassau County officials to support a new $200M
arena. NYSV co-Owner Howard Milstein met yesterday with
Nassau County officials regarding the development of a 70-
acre Coliseum site, but NEWSDAY reports that those
negotiations "appear to have slowed" in recent weeks. Also,
sources said that Milstein has had "preliminary talks" with
Mets Owner Fred Wilpon about moving the Isles "and the Nets,
if that deal can be completed," into the Mets' planned multi-
use stadium. Nassau officials said that the Isles "are
bound" to their Coliseum lease through 2015, but a Mets exec
"confirmed" that talks had taken place, and said Wilpon also
had "been in contact with" the Nets about the team "playing
some games and possibly all" at the proposed new facility.
Nets spokesperson Howard Rubenstein confirmed the team has
had discussions about a "possible move" to Long Island but
declined comment about a possible sale. NYSV spokesperson
Gary Lewi said that Milstein had been involved in "serious
discussions" with Nets ownership (NEWSDAY, 5/8).
MORE: Sources said that the Nets' lease at Continental
Arena with the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA),
which runs through 2021, contains an option to leave the
facility following the '99-2000 season "without financial
penalty." The option "would have to be exercised" by January
1, 2000, and "would be the Nets' last chance to break the
lease without penalty." NEWSDAY also reports that Nets reps
"contacted" MSG officials about playing home games there
"until a move from the Meadowlands can be finalized." MSG
spokesperson Barry Watkins declined comment (NEWSDAY, 5/8).
In N.Y., Tracy Connor reports three scenarios are being
discussed between the NYSV and the Nets: one "involves [NYSV]
buying the Nets outright;" another has the Nets owners
keeping "a third of the team;" and the third would have the
Nets owners "also getting a piece" of the Isles. A NYSV
spokesperson the group "hopes to nail down a deal for the
year 2000 in the next 60 days" (N.Y. POST, 5/8). A possible
Nets move was front page news in today's N.Y. POST, carrying
the banner headline, "Escape From New Jersey" (5/8).

Officials of Atlanta's new arena, home of the Hawks and
Thrashers in '99, "quietly" have been leasing private suites
"and, in the process, confirmed that the luxury seating is
reachable only for the upper crust," according to Jeff
Schultz of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. The suites are priced
at $135,000 to $225,000 per year, "among the highest in
sports." About half have been leased, including "a majority"
of the top-priced models. Arena President Bob Williams said
the price point "has not been an issue." The average suite
price of $189,000 is 51.2% higher than the projected $125,000
in a '96 feasibility study. Suites have been leased for
five, seven or 10 years (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/8).

Knicks VP/Public Relations Chris Weiller, who handles
celebrity ticket requests, will "have plenty of power this
weekend" as the Knicks host the Pacers for Games 3 and 4 of
their playoff series, according to Kelly Carter of NEWSDAY.
The Knicks have eight complimentary floor seats to each game
for distribution, and Lakers PR Dir John Black said, "If I
had eight complimentary floor seats for every game, I would
own Los Angeles. Chris Weiller is doing something wrong if
he's not mayor yet. [He] is more powerful than Rudy
Giuliani." Weiller said the "key" to selecting the courtside
celebs "is if they're a Knicks fan. You'd rather have
someone who is a fan rather than a great face." The team
tries to "differentiate between real fans and those who just
want to be seen." Weiller: "We love Elle [MacPherson]. But
if she left at halftime and was talking on the cell phone the
whole time, she wouldn't be back." The team also reportedly
"warned" Sean "Puffy" Combs for constantly talking on his
cell phone during the game. Spike Lee, Woody Allen, Tom
Brokaw and John Kennedy Jr. are among season ticket holders,
and Billy Baldwin, Matthew Modine and Robin Leach are celebs
who attend Knick charity functions and thus "are going to get
a comp seat" when they request one (NEWSDAY, 5/8).

The Twins and MLB have decided to appeal a ruling by a
Ramsey County (MN) district judge which order MLB and Twins
officials, along with prospective Twins Owner Don Beaver, to
answer questions from the MN Attorney General's office and
produce documents concerning the Twins' potential move to
NC., according to Jay Weiner of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.
Weiner writes the antitrust case has "national implications."
Today, lawyers for MLB, the Twins and Beaver will ask the
Judge to stay the execution of the ruling and order a speedy
appeal to the state Court of Appeals "because of the
importance of the case" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/8).